(WBRE/WYOU) — The gruesome killing of political activist Charlie Kirk has shocked many, regardless of their political affiliation. On Wednesday, 28/22 News spoke with local political analysts on both sides of the spectrum to find out their thoughts on the shooting and growing theme of political violence in America.
The apparent increase in political division and the violence caused by it are fresh in the minds of many, and now, a potentially dangerous precedent has been set where policy and beliefs are valued more than human life.
Political violence in America is nothing new, but in recent years, sentiments have shifted, making what was once considered a senseless act of violence a celebration for some.
With Wednesday's killing of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, those sentiments, especially on social media, are no different.
"It's very scary that we're getting away from fierce oral arguments to actual violence that goes far beyond fist fights," WILK Radio Political Analyst Bob Cordaro said.
"Any time a voice gets silenced, it diminishes America. It diminishes freedom of speech," Political Analyst for The LuLac Political Letter, David Yonki, stated.
Cordaro, a Republican, and Yonki, a Democrat, are both vocal about their political beliefs, and while those beliefs may not always align, they both say there's a bigger problem in America than just right versus left.
PA Senators, Congressmen react after Charlie Kirk shot, killed
Yonki says while the division has always been there, it's only been amplified by the digital world.
"I think the access to information now is so great, that everybody kind of puts their own football jerseys on and there's no way to actually compromise," Yonki explained.
With the overload of information and opinions found online comes the potential for confusion and misinformation.
Charlie Kirk was not afraid to share his opinions and grew a massive following online because of it.
While it is still unclear what the motive was behind the killing, Cordaro says he thinks it was an inability to communicate.
"Violence comes in politics when you can't win by reason, and he was killed because they couldn't defeat him with reason," Cordaro stated.
He says at one point, most Americans all united around a set of core values regardless of political belief, but that those core values are no longer there.
"We no longer agree on when the sun sets. We don't agree on basic facts, and that is, very dangerous," Cordaro continued.
Despite the growing divide, Yonki says in a world that may seem dark, we must look within for a source of light.
"At this point, it is so divided I think we just have to respect ourselves, live our lives, and make sure that, you know, we do the best that we can," Yonki added.
While Utah's governor has said the assassination was politically motivated, regardless of democrat or republican, both Cordaro and Yonki agree, this violence has gone too far.
